DANCEPEEPS: ESPHAN KAMAU-BBOY SLIM

He must be one of the most animated dancers of our time. My guest today needs no particular introduction to dance fanatics and dance lovers. His skills are unmatched; his image is just right and when he moves he speaks volumes.

OFFICIAL NAMES: Esphan Kamau

BBOY SLIM

STAGE NAME: Bboy Slim

HOOD YOU REP: Buruklynn

CREW YOU REP: Dashy Krew & All Blaxx /Gifted Bboyz

YOU’RE STYLE: Bboying & Krump [a bit of Pop]

DANCE BACKGROUND: Been dancing all my life, but got really serious after finishing High school in ’05 then joined Dashy Krew in Feb 2006. Been in the game ever since n it has brought me dis far.

FASHION AND CLAD: Jeans, Hoody, Ol'skools and my favourite marvin.

HOBBIES: Art, Breakdancing & Video games.

DANCE ICON: Shane Sparks, Bboy Roxrite & Taisuke

DEFINE DANCE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU: Simple, dance is oxygen to me, I can’t live without it n most importantly I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for God. I want to change lives n lifestyles of the youth thru dance by making’ them know anyone can do it, you jusgotta have an open mind. Bboying is how I get to express myself, like a painter with his canvas… the ground is my canvas.

BBOY SLIM DOING A CHAIR

TRAINING GROUNDS: My Crib, SOS Village Buru & Sarakasi Dome.

ACCOPLISHMENTS: MGSDA 2008 Kenyan Champs, 3rd MGSDA 2008Pan African Champs, 3rd place Sakata Season 1, 2nd runners up Sakata Season 2, SPA Fest Judge 2010, Battlezone Judge 2011, Battle of the Crewz Judge 2011.

WHY BBOY SLIM: Back in ’06 when I joined dashy krew, I was the youngest and smallest in the krew… So the dubbed me as Slim. Hence Bboy Slim.

RATING FROM ONE TO TEN WHERE ONE IS THE WORST AND TEN IS THE BEST WHERE WOULD YOU RATE THE KENYAN DANCE SCENE: compared to the rest of the world I’d give Kenya a solid 4, but in terms of growing rapidly and learning new styles…6

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU THINK WILL PUSH KENYAN DANCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL: Originality!!!

WHO HAVE YOU EVER BATTLED N HE/SHE GAVE YOU THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Bboykimzy from Sisko crew. Blizzy from our crew is a real mentor and a great challenger. I have learnt alot from him too.

WHAT IS PHARTZONE: Phartzone Interactive is my creative workspace and portfolio. I provide freelance graphic design & web development for local businesses and individuals. My services range from websites, print materials, company branding & video production. ^{www.phartzone.com}

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS: Locally I want to help the youth in any way I can, make them realize that they can do anything if they put their minds to it. I deeply aspire to be an international Bboy representing all Kenya all over the world. I am also working hard on my other half-life "phartzone", which will be an advance multimedia company that promotes dancers, artists, theatre and art as a whole.

BBOY SLIM OUT TO REACH FOR THE BEST

HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO BE AT YOUR BEST IN THE DIFFERENT ENGAGEMENTS: God! Prayer and commitment to what you do every day is the best recipe for success.

READ ON THE SOCIAL WEB THAT YOU WERE GOING TO KAMPALA FOR A DANCE GIG. TELL ME ABOUT THAT: Went great, a well-renowned Bboy in Kampala called BboyHeskey from Battle-Holics Crew invited me for the annual Break-fast Championship Finals that were held at the Sharing Youth Center in downtown Kampala. Heskey told me that they had the Break-fast regional through the year and the turn-out was amazing. I was a bit scared to go all that way alone but when I arrived there I felt home, there were freestylers, MCs, graffiti art and the ambience there was so amazing. The kicks and snares in the sound-waves were very welcoming. I was the only Kenyan there and I really dint hold back and it really felt good representing for all the Kenyan Bboyz. I even got to meet top Ugandan Bboys, even they guys that who acted the Bouncing Cats Documentary alongside international Legends like Crazy legs from the Rock-steady Crew from New-york. Heskey will be coming to Kenya and Tanzania for a workshop with more international bboys from Estonia later in November. Can’t wait!

MAKING THE MOVE COUNT-BBOY SLIM

I BELIEVE YOU ARE A GRAPHIC DESIGNER. HOW DO YOU INTEGRATE THAT WITH YOUR PASSION FOR DANCE: Simple, Artist by day, Street-dancer by Night.

DAY AND NIGHT- BBOY SLIM

WHAT WOULD YOU ADVICE THE YOUNGER GENERATION OF DANCERS, DOS AND DON’TS: Believe in yourself people and be ORIGINAL!!! Trying to be someone else is a waste of the person you are!

YOU MUST BE ONE OF THE MOST ANIMATED DANCERS I HAVE SEEN BATTLE, YOUR CHEEKY AND HIGHLY EXPRESSIVE. WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM: It’s all about releasing yourself when you get on the floor. Like water you let the moves flow and feel the music.

BBOY SLIM GETS ANIMATED

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE THE BEST CREW: Hard-work and determination. Never give-up, anytime you fall or loose, get right back up and try again. Always aim at being the best.

WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED, THOSE YOU CONTINUING TO FACE AS A DANCER AND AS A CREW: Exploitation from event-organizers/artists, rejection from friends/family, rent for dance premises/studios, Hatership… the list is endless but I came to understand that we all learn and get stronger from all these hardships and challenges.

FINAL WORD: Be true to yourself and believe in God. My favorite verse is Prov 16;3… Commit your works to the Lord and you will succeed. Peace out!